by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 30 U.S. colleges awarded 333 degrees and certificates in Foodservice Systems Administration/Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,773 one year after completing, rising to $55,364 after four years.
Studying Foodservice Systems Administration/Management explores Foodservice Systems Administration/management. A Program That Focuses On The Principles And Practices Relating To The Administration Of Food Service Systems In Institutional Settings, And That Prepares Individuals To Manage Such Operations In Public And Private Facilities. Includes Instruction In Human Nutrition, Food Safety, The Design And Organization Of Food Service Systems, Purchasing, Personnel Management, And Related Business Practices.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, foodservice systems administration/management is a popular field of study, with 333 degrees awarded annually. 30 colleges award foodservice systems administration/management degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 61.
By level, the 333 awards include 2 certificates, 18 associate degrees, 158 bachelor’s degrees and 154 master’s degrees.
Women earned 54% of foodservice systems administration/management degrees and certificates in the latest year (181 of 333). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (107) and Black or African American (87), and international students earned 19.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks foodservice systems administration/management schools within 2 states. In all, 30 colleges offer foodservice systems administration/management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common foodservice systems administration/management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 158 of the 333 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to foodservice systems administration/management call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a foodservice systems administration/management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 18 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 158 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 154 |
Post-baccalaureate certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to foodservice systems administration/management, at 29.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 29.5% |
| Master’s degree | 25.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 16.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Foodservice Systems Administration/Management, with an average median salary of $91,650; the strongest outlook belongs to Food Service Managers, at 7.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Dietary Aide, Menu Planner, Holistic Nutritionist and Food Consultant.
The occupation related to foodservice systems administration/management with the most projected jobs is Dietitians and Nutritionists, at 3,155,854.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 863,163 | 5.6% |
| Food Service Managers | 397,799 | 7.7% |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | 395,624 | 0.1% |
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management graduates earn a median $35,773 one year after completing their program, $55,364 after four years and $48,775 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,773 |
| 4 years | $55,364 |
| 5 years | $48,775 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to foodservice systems administration/management, with a median salary of $165,782.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | $165,782 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,104 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,453 |
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management has 3 similar majors in the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences field, which together award 3,340 degrees a year; the largest are Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General (2,083), Human Nutrition (1,144) and Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other (113). Browse all Family, Consumer & Human Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General | 2,083 |
| Human Nutrition | 1,144 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other | 113 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
